Remove malware from android

How to remove malware and viruses from your Android phone

Just like your computer, your Android phone can fall victim to malware. It slows your system down and creates glitches that make it difficult to even use your phone. You have to stop it fast to protect your phone and yourself. Whether you’ve downloaded an infected app or visited a corrupted website, there are steps you can take to remove the malware and protect your phone in the future.

The first step is to find the malware on your phone. We’ll walk you through how to do that, then we’ll give you some options for protection and antivirus apps you can use to restore your phone’s health and keep it safe in future.

Step 1: Shut down until you find out the specifics

Once you’re sure your phone is under attack by malware, hold the power button down and turn the phone fully off. It may not stop the malware from causing damage, but it can stop the problem from getting worse, and may halt ongoing malware attempts to access nearby networks.

Shutting down also gives you time to think and research. Do you know the specific infected app that brought malware onto your device? Do you know what other types of software it may have downloaded without your consent? If not, then move to another computer and look up your symptoms (as well as any new apps you tried out) to narrow down the issue. If you can’t find the app at the root of the problem, you can’t remove it.

If your research turns up nothing, you may want to turn your phone back on and skip down to step five. Anti-malware apps can help identify what is causing your problems and may even be able to remove the infected software for you. However, this will also require restoring phone access to the internet again, which involves some risk.

Step 2: Switch to safe/emergency mode while you work

When you turn your device back on and plunge in to isolate the problematic app, switch over to safe mode first. This will help limit the damage the infected app can do.

For most Android devices, you can switch to safe mode by holding down the power button for a couple seconds when your device is on, then tapping and holding on the Power off option. This should bring up a few power options, including the option to Reboot to safe mode. Choose this mode and wait for your phone to reboot before you continue. If you can’t find a safe mode, activate airplane mode instead, to cut your device off from any networks. You can usually find that option at the top of your notifications shade.

Note: If you can’t find out what’s causing your malware problem, even after downloading a security app, this is not the time to tinker. Ask a professional for help and if you should wipe your phone. This is a good strategy if increasingly common ransomware takes over your phone and blocks your actions.

Step 3: Head to Settings and find the app

Visit Settings on your Android device. Settings typically has a gear-shaped icon, but that depends on your themes and arrangement: Search for it if you have trouble locating the right spot.

In Settings, scroll until you see the section called Apps, and enter. Look for a list of all your current apps — you may need to choose App Manager to locate the full list. Once there, scroll until you find the infected app at the center of your problems.

Select the app, and this should bring up options to Uninstall, Force Close, or Force Stop (often you cannot uninstall core apps, only disable them, but these apps are unlikely to be the problem).

Step 4: Delete the infected app and anything else suspicious

Simply choose Uninstall, and your Android device should remove the app in question. It’s also a good idea to review your app list and uninstall other suspicious downloads — if you haven’t looked at this list before, you may be surprised at some of the odd things your device has on it.

Note: In some cases, you can’t uninstall the problem app. In fact, the option to delete may not even be there. Instead, you’ll see Disable on the menu, and that will be all. An app with super smarts (and dangerous malware or ransomware) can hack your administrator settings. The app may have given itself administrative settings, protecting itself from deletion.

Fortunately, this is often a relatively easy issue that you can fix on your own. All you have to do is navigate back to the original Settings menu and scroll down to Lock Screen and Security (or a similar corresponding section). When you get to the Security menu, look for a tab that says “ Phone (Device) Administrators .” Keep in mind that you may need to visit “ Other security settings ” first, depending on your security menu’s hierarchy. In Phone Administrators , you should be able to track down the setting that enables the malware to camp out. Then, all you have to do is simply adjust those settings and you can finally delete the app.

Step 5: Download some malware protection

It’s a smart idea to give plenty of security and malware protection to each Android device, and it’s particularly crucial to install antivirus software if you have been unlucky with questionable apps before. After you manually delete the app causing you issues, you will need to increase your phone’s overall security.

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of security apps out there. Look for a security app with all the features you want in one, rather than downloading several apps where each just does one or two things. A good security app will be able to delete junk or spam files, scan for viruses, and keep your information private. Some apps have settings to delete any questionable software automatically. We recommend Safe Security , AVG Antivirus , or Avast Antivirus , all available in the Google Play Store. We also have a complete guide to Android security and antivirus recommendations . Once you’ve downloaded proper protection against malware, you’ll even notice your device functions better overall.

Keep in mind that you should always keep your software updated to the latest version. Your devices should do this automatically, but you can also check for installs regularly. Without these regular software updates, your phone will be far more open to attack .

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How to Find and Remove Malware on Your Android Device

By Ruslana Lishchuk

We use our smartphones for virtually everything these days: working, shopping, banking, booking, and, of course, communicating with friends and family.

With all this activity passing through them, can you imagine how much information these devices contain? They are treasure troves of sensitive data that could potentially put you at risk if they fall into the wrong hands.

So with this in mind, it’s high time you learned how to avoid malware on Android.

Pro tip: An all-round cybersecurity solution for your phone with antivirus, VPN, and 24/7 live support from security experts can save you tons of time and worries. Give the Clario Android app a go and start your free trial today, no credit card needed.

Signs of malware on Android

The following Android virus symptoms will help tip you off if you feel something’s not right:

• Your phone tends to overheat
• The battery drains faster than usual
• Pop-up ads frequently appear
• You encounter unusual ads that are sometimes ’too personal’
• Phone performance is too slow
• Apps are taking too long to open, not opening at all, or crashing
• You find apps you don’t remember downloading
• You receive expensive phone bills
• You see an unexplained increase in data usage

Be extra wary of the following:

• Your device is rooted
• Your Android OS has stopped receiving updates
• Your Android OS is not updated to the latest version despite being compatible

How to check for malware on Android

Beyond just looking out for symptoms, you need to learn how to find malware on Android.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Go to the Google Play Store app
2. Open the menu button. You can do this by tapping on the three-line icon found in the top-left corner of your screen
3. Select Play Protect
4. Tap Scan. Your device will start checking for Android malware
5. If your device uncovers harmful apps, it will provide an option for removal

Don’t just manually scan your Android device. You can give yourself more protection by setting up automatic scanning for your phone to ensure you are alerted anytime malware invades the system. To do this, simply tap the gear icon located in the top-right corner of the Play Protect window. Make sure both sliders are switched on or set to green.

How to get rid of viruses or malware on Android

1. Reboot in safe mode
2. Uninstall all suspicious apps
3. Get rid of pop-up ads and redirects from your browser
4. Clear your downloads
5. Install a mobile anti-malware app

Reboot in safe mode

Safe mode allows you to turn off any third-party apps and services, giving you a chance to disable malware as well.

Remember, if you use any custom launchers, your phone will look different while in safe mode. Don’t be concerned — your home screen icons will return after the reboot. The only thing affected will be the home screen widgets — those will be removed. So, before proceeding to safe mode, we recommend taking a screenshot of your home screen so you can quickly restore widgets after booting back to normal mode.

The steps to enter the safe mode can vary for different device models, but the most common ones are these:

1. Press and hold the power button until you see the Power off option
2. Tap and hold the power button until you see the prompt to Reboot to safe mode
3. Tap OK, then wait until your device restarts
4. When your phone boots up, you will see the Safe Mode watermark at the bottom. This indicates you successfully booted up in safe mode
5. Open Settings on your device by tapping the gear-like icon from the list of apps
6. Tap Apps & notifications or a similarly named setting that manages apps
7. Check the apps list carefully and remove anything suspicious: tap the app’s name and select Uninstall
8. If you stumble upon an unknown suspicious app you can’t remove, chances are it’s the intruder you’re looking for. First, disable the app by tapping Disable
9. Get back to the Settings main screen and look for a function that allows administrating your apps. Usually, it’s called Device admin apps
10. Find the intruder in the list and turn off the toggle next to it. The toggle should now turn gray
11. After that, go back to the apps list, select the potential malware, and tap Uninstall
12. Press and hold the power button again. Then select Reboot to go back to normal mode.

If these steps don’t work for your device, consult the manufacturer’s guide.

Uninstall all suspicious apps

If you have noticed several symptoms we’ve mentioned, but your phone is still functioning, take a thorough look at your list of apps. Malware could be hiding there.

• Scrutinise any recently installed apps. If you’re unsure about the app’s security, do some basic research: look for reviews on Google Play Store or just Google the app’s name. Usually, this should be enough to determine if the app is reliable and check if other users have had any issues.
• Remove apps you don’t use. Only keep the apps you need. If there’s a doc reader or a face scanner you installed a while ago and only used once, then delete it.
• Uninstall apps you don’t remember installing. These are the most likely suspects in wreaking havoc on your Android device. For the love of all things digital, please remove them.

Get rid of pop-up ads and redirects from your browser

If your device keeps being redirected to unwanted websites or pop-up ads keep showing up, you will have to reset your mobile browser to its default settings. This is an action you should only perform if all other steps have failed to solve the problem. Unlike Windows and Mac computers, Android doesn’t have any setting restoration capabilities built into its browsers.

To reset browser settings on Android, you will have to clear the application data. This way, you will be able to remove all the saved caches, site settings, and cookies.

To return your Chrome browser to its factory settings:

1. Open the Settings menu by tapping on the gear icon
2. Select App. This will show all the installed applications
3. Look for the Chrome app, and tap on it
4. Select Storage from the Chrome’s app info menu
5. Under the storage settings, select Manage storage
6. You can now tap Clear all data. This will delete accounts, bookmarks, and other Chrome data
7. A pop-up will ask you to confirm the restoration process. Then tap OK

Clear your downloads

Unlike iOS, Android OS allows you to download various files from the internet. This is a useful feature, but it also poses risks to your device: mainly, you can accidentally download malware. It’s important to keep your folder of downloads in order and free from suspicious or unnecessary files.

If your Android device is failing to respond, freezing, or not allowing you to open anything, then you need to resort to more advanced steps.

Install a mobile anti-malware app

With cybercriminals always on the lookout for new ways to invade our privacy and steal data, your best security efforts will often never be enough. This is why the most effective way to protect your device is by installing a trustworthy mobile security app like Clario.

1. Install the Clario app and create an account
2. Tap Start scan to search your smartphone for infected apps or files
3. Delete malware from your device in a single tap
4. Turn on the automatic scan to check the apps you install and files you download for safety

Learning how to stop malware on an Android phone starts with awareness and preventive measures. So, to protect your device against future risks:

• Invest in quality mobile security
• Keep operating systems and software updated
• Refrain from clicking on unfamiliar links in emails and texts
• Select strong passwords or use a password manager
• Steer clear of unsecured Wi-Fi connections. If you need to connect to a public hotspot, use a VPN
• Only install apps from trusted sources like the Google Play Store
• Take the time to read the fine print and app permissions to stay aware of the access you provide to app developers

And if you want to stay in the loop about the latest tips on how to get rid of malware on Android and be one step ahead of cybercriminals, make sure to read Clario’s blog. Prevention is always better than cure.

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